One ride beats the crowd. I love the not-overcrowded feel on Tip Top One, and I love that your day is built around real sea time with two swim opportunities. The main thing to consider is this is weather-dependent, so stops can shift if conditions aren’t right.

You’ll board in Sliema at 10:30 sharp and spend the day cruising past Malta’s famous coastline, with shaded tables and onboard restrooms keeping it comfortable even on hot hours. The lunch is simple and filling (pork, chicken, salad, potatoes, bread), and the bar includes wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• Small-group comfort (max 44 on board): space to spread out instead of shoulder-to-shoulder sunbathing.
• Comino timing without the Blue Lagoon crush: you see the area but won’t be stuck in overcrowded water.
• Two swim windows plus optional tender/cave time: built-in chances to get in the sea without rushing.
• Lunch served with drinks included all day: wine, beer, soft drinks, and water included for the full cruise.
• Onboard shade + bean bags: easy day at sea, whether you want sun or relief from it.

Tip Top One Catamaran: what the boat does for your day

The star here is the boat itself: Tip Top One, a large catamaran with room to move. With a maximum of 44 people, it’s the rare Malta cruise where you don’t feel like you’re trapped in a moving crowd. You can grab a seat at a shaded table, but you can also head out onto the spacious deck and spread out on bean bags.

What I like most is that the comfort is built in. There are onboard restrooms, and there’s enough deck space that you’re not constantly stepping around strangers. Even if you’re traveling with kids or older relatives, the setup makes it easier to handle a “relax day” without turning it into a constant shuffle.

The crew also matters. Names come up in the praise, including Manny and the captain/crew team. What stands out in their service style is attentiveness without fuss, plus they’re clearly focused on keeping the day running smoothly and safely.

The day’s rhythm: 10:30 departure to 17:00 back in Sliema

This is a full-day cruise, about 6 hours 30 minutes in total. Boarding starts at 10:15 and closes at 10:25, with a 10:30 departure that’s described as sharp. You’ll be back around 17:00.

That timing shapes what the day feels like. You’re not doing a quick hop. You’re doing a proper sea day: you cruise, you swim, you eat, you swim again, then you wrap up with a little sightseeing. Because lunch and drinks are onboard, you’re not losing time to port queues or refueling stops.

Also, the itinerary isn’t carved in stone. Weather can change the plan, including whether you go to Comino Crystal Lagoon and what your first stop looks like. That flexibility is part of the deal in Malta, where conditions can turn fast.

Stop 1: Comino Crystal Lagoon (when possible), or Gozo’s Ramla I-Hamra

Your first main stop is either Comino’s Crystal Lagoon (weather permitting) or Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. The cruise is explicit about one thing: it will not stop in Blue Lagoon because the water there gets overcrowded.

This is a big deal for how you experience Malta by sea. Blue Lagoon is the name people know, but “famous” often means “crowded.” By skipping an actual stop there, you usually get a calmer swim and more breathing room when you hit the water.

If Crystal Lagoon is on the menu, it’s about reaching the same Comino magic without feeling like you’re sharing your swimsuit with fifty other towels. If weather pushes the plan toward Gozo, Ramla I-Hamra gives you a different look at Maltese coastline while still keeping the day’s water time central.

A practical tip: bring your swim gear and be ready to move quickly when you arrive. The whole cruise is organized around time-in-the-water, so you’ll want to be set before everyone lines up.

Lunch on board: pork, chicken, salad, potatoes, and bread plus drinks

Lunch is served onboard and it’s not a sad “snack box” style meal. You get chicken and pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. There’s also wine, beer, soft beverages, and water available all day.

If you have dietary needs, this is the part to plan for. You’re asked to leave a note if you don’t eat chicken and/or pork, and they also mention a vegetarian option if requested in advance. I’d treat that as important. Send the note early, so your lunch plan doesn’t become a last-minute scramble.

Drinks are another value anchor here. You’re not limited to one or two pours. The cruise includes wine and beer alongside soft drinks and water throughout the day, which makes a long catamaran day feel more like a hosted outing and less like a budget ferry ride.

There are shaded seating areas, so lunch doesn’t have to be a sunburn contest. If you prefer to eat with a view, you can usually move around a bit—just know the catamaran is a working boat, so keep paths clear when people are walking.

St. Paul’s Island and the harbour views: second swim time

After lunch, the cruise heads toward St. Paul’s Island, which is your second swim stop. This is one of the reasons the day feels well-balanced: you’re not doing one brief swim and then spending hours watching the horizon.

Time permitting, the cruise also includes a short visit to the Grand Harbour. That part is about variety. You get open-sea calm during swimming time, then you see a different side of Malta as the day winds down. Around 5 PM, you return back to Sliema.

The “time permitting” note matters. If you’re the type who wants a checklist ticked off, you may find yourself slightly annoyed by that flexibility. If you’re the type who’s happy as long as the sea time is good, it’s exactly what you want. In practice, it means the crew prioritizes what’s possible safely and comfortably that day.

Swimming, snorkeling, and those tender/cave moments

The cruise is built around swimming. You’ll have two dedicated chances in the water at different locations, which makes it easier to enjoy without feeling like you’re sprinting between anchors.

Snorkeling gear is also available, but with a catch: mask and snorkel can be borrowed with a EUR 20 deposit if the set is damaged or lost. If you don’t already own your own snorkeling equipment, it’s a decent option. Just budget that deposit in your day.

Towels aren’t included, so pack one. Also pack sunscreen and something you don’t mind getting salty. Catamarans are great, but sea spray is part of the deal.

One bonus detail that shows up in the overall experience: when you’re in certain lagoon/cave areas, the crew may run tender-style experiences so you can get closer to formations. In the accounts, people describe a small boat ride through caves/lagoon areas that can last around twenty minutes. I’d treat this as a fun possible extra tied to conditions and timing, not a guaranteed core stop.

Price and value: is $156 really fair for what you get?

At $156 per person, this cruise isn’t a bargain-basement option. The value comes from how the day is packaged:

• You get two swim opportunities with time built in for swimming and relaxing.
• You get lunch plus drinks all day (wine, beer, soft drinks, water).
• You’re on a large, stable catamaran with onboard restrooms and shaded seating.
• The crew actively works to avoid the most crowded water conditions, particularly by not stopping at Blue Lagoon overcrowded waters.

If you’ve priced similar Malta boat days, what usually kills the value is “extras.” Here, drinks are included, lunch is included, and the sailing is long enough to feel like you actually left the shore for the day. That’s why people keep saying it feels worth the money: you’re paying for a comfortable, hosted sea experience, not just transportation.

One more subtle point: small-group comfort. When the boat isn’t packed, you can find shade or sun where you want. You can talk without shouting. You can rinse off and move around without constant bumping. That kind of comfort is hard to quantify, but it affects how you remember the day.

Meeting in Sliema and getting there without stress

This cruise starts and ends in Sliema at Daycruisemalta.com’s Tip Top One location: Picard Tigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta. Start time is 10:30, and boarding closes at 10:25, so don’t stroll in late.

The location is near public transportation. If you’re staying in Valletta, the suggestion is to come by ferry. If you’re thinking about driving, they recommend against bringing your own car because of parking, and they steer you toward taxi instead.

Also, this is a mobile ticket experience, so have the ticket ready on your phone. Confirmation is said to come within 48 hours, depending on availability.

One last logistics note: transfer to and back from the catamaran is not included, so plan your own ride from your hotel to Sliema and back.

Who should book this catamaran day cruise?

You should book if you want:

• A calmer sea day with fewer people than the big party boats.
• A mix of cruising, scenery, and real swim time.
• A lunch and drinks package that makes the day feel complete.

This is also a solid fit for families and mixed-age groups because the boat has plenty of seating areas and onboard restrooms, and the vibe is relaxed.

You might skip it if:

• You want guaranteed, long, high-intensity snorkeling gear time at every famous spot. This cruise keeps things flexible and prioritizes comfort and manageable crowds.
• You want a strict, unchanging itinerary. Weather can shift the plan, including the first stop location.

Should you book Tip Top One for your Malta day at sea?

If your idea of a good Malta day is comfortable sailing, shade when you want it, and two proper chances to swim, this is an easy yes. The combination of small-group feel, onboard lunch, and drinks included all day makes the price feel logical, not inflated.

I’d book especially if you know you’ll hate overcrowded water. The cruise’s choice to avoid stopping in Blue Lagoon overcrowded waters is exactly the kind of smart trade-off that makes your day feel better, not just more famous.

If the weather looks iffy, keep your expectations flexible. When conditions are decent, you’ll get a smooth, relaxing itinerary built around the sea.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Malta catamaran cruise?

It’s about 6 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the cruise start and when does it return?

Boarding starts at 10:15 and closes at 10:25, with departure at 10:30 sharp. The cruise returns around 17:00.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

Meet at Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One – Picard Tigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta.

Is lunch included, and what’s on the menu?

Lunch is included. It includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread.

Can I request a different meal if I don’t eat chicken or pork?

Yes. You’re asked to leave a note if you don’t eat chicken and/or pork, and they mention a vegetarian option if needed.

What’s included with drinks?

Wine, beer, soft beverages, and water are included all day.

Where does the cruise swim?

You’ll have a first stop that can be Comino Crystal Lagoon (weather permitting) or Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo, and then a second swim at St. Paul’s Island.

Will the cruise stop in the Blue Lagoon?

No. It says it will not stop in Blue Lagoon due to overcrowded waters, though it may still include sightseeing of the area.

Do I need to bring a towel and snorkeling gear?

A towel is not included. Mask and snorkel can be borrowed with a EUR 20 deposit.

What if the weather is bad or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If it doesn’t meet the minimum number of travelers, you’ll also be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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